This surname is derived from a geographical locality. 'of Leighton,' parishes in Huntingdonshire, Salop, and Bedfordshire. Also two townships in Cheshire, in the parishes of Nantwich and Neston; v. Layton, Lee, and Legh. There also exists a township, Leighton, on Montgomeryshire. This place was named for its owner at Domesday, Lewi.

Henry de Leyton, Buckinghamshire, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

Roger de Leyton, Huntingdonshire, ibid.

Clement de Leyton, Huntingdonshire, ibid.

Adam de Leytun, Salop, Henry III-Edward I: Testa de Nevill, sive Liber Feodorum, temp. Henry III-Edward I.

1601. Robert Leighton, Salop: Register of the University of Oxford.

1750. Married — Thomas Leighton and Mary Ann Tash: St. George's Chapel, Mayfair.

From the barony of Leighton in Bedfordshire, England. Robert de Lectun and Symon de Lectun, his brother, witnessed a charter by Peter de Pulloc, c. 1177—99, granting the church of Mernes, Renfrewshire, to the church of S. James of Passelet (Paisley) (RMP., p. 98). William de Lechton who witnessed a charter to Walter de Rossy of Rossy in Angus, c. 1260 (RAA., I, p. 337) may be William de Lectona who attested a charter by John de Moravia of lands in Strathbolgy, c. 1284 (REM., p. 462). William de Leghtone, knight, swore fealty at Kyngorne, Fife, 1291 (Bain, II, 508), Sir Thomas de Lighton, deputy chamberlain, 1340 (ER., I, p. 455) and Duncan de Lychtoun became sheriff locum tenens of Angus, 1391 (ER., III, p. 268). Alexander of Lyghton was one of the brothers of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem, 1414 (Bain, IV, 854), Alexander of Lichtoune was landowner in Angus, 1415 (REB., I, 37), Walter de Lychtoun was rector of Edzell, 1435 (Jervise, LL., p. 4), and Duncan de Lichtoune was vicar of Brechin, 1457 (REB., II, 274). Johan Lichton of Ullishaven emigrated to Sweden before 1633. His son became governor of Reval and Esthonia in 1681 and president of the superior court of justice in Abo, 1687. Alexander Leighton, M.D., a cadet of Usan, is celebrated for the severity of treatment he received from the Court of Star Chamber. Lechtone and Lechtoun 1485, Leghtowne 1651, Lichtone 1502, Lichtoun 1514, Lightoun 1670, Lychten 1567, Lychtone 1463.

(English) belonging to Leighton = the Lea-Farm [v. under Leigh, Lea, and + Old English tún, farm, &c.] 2 the (Kitchen-) Garden [Old English léahtún, léactún, lit. leek-enclosure]

(English) One who came from Leighton (homestead where leeks were grown), the name of several places in England.

The family are stated to have been seated at Leighton in Shropshire prior to the Conquest. They are presumed to have sprung from Rainald vioecome-s, mentioned as the Domesday tenant of Lestone or Leighton. Certain it is that they were of Leighton, co nomine, in the XII. century. See Shirley's Noble and Gentle Men. The principal seat of the family is now at Loton, in the above-named county.

Eyton remarks that in the early history of this family ‘ invention has supplied the place of fact ’ (Salop, vii. 326). It descends from Tihel, who t. Henry I. held from the Fitz-Alans (Ib.). The name Tihel is Breton, as were the Fitz-Alans. Richard Fitz-Tihel held a fief from Fitz-Alan 1165 (Liber Niger). His son Richard de Lecton, Knight, was living 1203 (Rot.Canc.). Hence the Leightons, Baronets.